History of Cross and Crown
In 1986, talk began of a new Lutheran mission to be developed in Matthews, North Carolina. In August of the same year, Pastor Carl M. Fisher was called as the mission developer. Land was purchased on the present location, 300 Pineville-Matthews Road and on the second Sunday of Easter, April 26, 1987, the first worship service was celebrated. On June 6, 1987 the first charter was signed. The present worship space, offices, fellowship hall, parlor and commons area were dedicated on October 28, 1990.
Vicar Linda Griffin served her internship year at Cross and Crown in 1988 and 1989. Pastor Phil Tonnenson was called in 1993 and served as Associate Pastor through June 1997. Pastor Fisher retired in early 1998; Pastor John Sell was called as interim Pastor until Pastor Mike Deal was called in June 1999. In July 2000, Pastor Linda Nelson was called as co-pastor.
Pastor Mike, Pastor Linda and the other nearly 500 ministers at Cross and Crown celebrate our past. But we also embrace and celebrate in faith and trust the places where God is leading us into the future, "not knowing where we go, but only that (God's) hand is leading us, and (God's) love is supporting us" (prayer from Morning Matins, LBW).